Who remembers Doug? He’s becoming quite the regular around here, after his first copywriting guest post went live here on my site a few weeks back.

Doug is a budding copywriter over in the US - and to help him get some of his words published, I’ve agreed to post them on laurenholden.co.uk. During this mentoring process between the pair of us, Doug has been picking up some copywriting tips and tricks - and hopefully they’ve been helpful.

This week, Doug’s talking about how to get copywriting clients, as this is something he’s working on himself. Take it away, Doug…

You know that feeling you get when you open an email a prospective client sent you, just to learn that another
pitch didn’t make the cut? Let that feeling sink in…now say goodbye to it forever.

Bon Voyage!

Whether you’re just starting out, or the clients you want are shooting you down (ouch), there are simple things you can do to guarantee success in your web copywriting future.

Step 1: Start Writing More

It doesn’t matter if it’s a birthday card to your Grandma you’ve putting off writing (for 3 years in a row), or the
erotic novel you never finished, you NEED to start somewhere.

If you want to reach the goals you set for yourself, you need to train your brain to make captivating content. The best way to write good copy is to write bad copy. So, warm up those phalanges and start typing.

Step 2: Find Support

Find someone that wants to grow with you. Reach out to people in your network and ask if they want to be your accountability buddy. Your new bestie should want it even more than you do.

This is especially important when the people in your life don’t have the same vision as you. Instead of getting salty at your mom for not supporting you, don’t underestimate this step. Plus, you’ll also learn how to make
money from copywriting twice as fast! Heck, start making your own professional copywriters network.
It’s gunna be a long road, but it doesn’t have to be a lonely one.

Step 3: Find a Mentor.

“But how? No one wants to help me.” Boohoo!

Finding a mentor is a lot easier than people make it sound. If you dedicate a day to contacting other successful copywriters, you’ll eventually find someone that is willing to help you succeed. Just make sure to expect rejection about 99% off the time.

You know those exotic birds you watch on National Geographic that dance for a mate? Their success rate is only 10%. You’re the exotic bird. Now strut your stuff, sexy!

So, put the stalking skills you’ve perfected over the many years of using the Internet to good use! Type in “freelance copywriter website” into Google and start searching.

Find professionals in their field and likeminded individuals on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Step 4: Create a Kick Ass Portfolio

Now you’re ready to create your copywriter portfolio. If you already have one, make it better with the knowledge and experience you’ve gained working with your mentors. Send your portfolio to your mentors and ask what they think of it.

Look up other copywriter portfolio examples and see how you can stand out. Take advice from as many sources as you can and, over time, you’ll find clients drooling to work with you.

Step 5: Make Your Own Website

No client you reach out to will invest in you if you don’t look like a professional copywriter. So, start acting like
one. Not having a website is like wearing shorts to an interview. Have the chutzpah to go above and beyond in presenting yourself in a way that a client will respect.

Look at what other copywriters are doing on their website and make yours look better. Stand out in some way. Be creative. What do you bring to the table that no one else can?

Okay, so you’ve spent your days writing to your grandma, sliding in random people’s DMs, and you’ve worked with people that want to see you succeed. You have a kick ass freelance copywriter website and copywriter portfolio. I see success for you, but be patient, build, and keep pursuing. Get after it, you guys!

A huge thanks again to Doug for writing this guest post.

Until next time…

You quite fancy becoming a copywriter, eh? I like you already. Copywriting is a great career choice - and all the very best people write for a living. But I would say that, wouldn’t I?

So, don’t just listen to me. Before you bust onto the scene like a pen-toting copywriting machine, take the advice of the people who make up this very blog. Copywriters in various stages of their career, they write for agencies, for themselves, or in-house for a brand - but they all have one thing in common: they worked blinking hard to carve for themselves the life they want. Saw it, wanted it, got it. YES!

You can do it, too. Read on…

Make Some 'Pen' Pals

"Make friends." says freelance copywriter, Elise Dopson. "Whether you're chatting with other copywriters on Twitter, sharing their work or striking up an email conversation about the struggles you're both facing, friends make this job less lonely (which is ironic—we spend most of our time writing for humans on the internet, but still feel lonely in real life). Since making this my top priority since I started freelancing, I feel much less lonelier—and even have a lovely bunch of people who send referrals my way when they're fully booked (and vice versa). The opportunities are endless once you're "in" with people in the industry."

Just 'Go For It'

"So for me, I think the most important thing is to go for it." says André Spiteri of Maverick Words. "Don’t wait for everything to be perfect. It’ll never be. Get a portfolio together and start pitching. The more you work and learn, the more you’ll improve. "

Set Up a Blog

Alex Fassam from The Curly Haired Copywriter is fairly new to the industry, having recently took up a position on the Infinity team.

He says: “I knew I wanted to become a copywriter more than anything but I knew no-one would hire me with little to no experience. The best thing I ever did was set up my blog. It was my way of A) Showing people I could write B) Expanding on ideas I’d learnt about during my studying on copywriting C) Showing prospective employers I could manage a site like WordPress. It worked like a charm and I’ve landed my dream job. I couldn’t be happier!"

Use Social Media to Your Advantage

"Invest time in social media - it's an important part of your marketing, so don't feel guilty about spending (quality) time online. Don't be bamboozled by the jargon, it can make writing seem more complicated than it is. Befriend other copywriters - they're a lovely supportive bunch! And finally, but importantly, know what you're worth and don't undersell yourself." - those are the wise words of Megan Rose, who runs her own freelance copywriting business over here.

Hone Your Craft

“I’ve only just got my first job as a copywriter, so I’m still pretty inexperienced myself.” says Simeon - junior copywriter at Pink Squid. “But one important thing I’ve learnt already is to work on mastering different tones of voice, instead of simply relying on the one that feels most natural to you. It seems obvious, but it’ll give any new copywriter a huge advantage if they start off doing that. “

Put a Portfolio Together

"I’d say there is absolutely no substitute for having a portfolio of relevant work." says Paul French, a copywriter who works at legal firm, Eversheds Sutherland.

"You need to try and work out what sort of copywriter you want to be - creative/long form/jack of all trades and also if there is an industry you want to specialise in. Then either find relevant work experience or work for reduced rates to get some work behind you, which you can use to leverage more work (freelance) or a job (in/house/agency)"

Don't Work for Nothing. EVER.

Rebecca Pearl Messagelab Communications has some sound advice via a piece featured on the Professional Copywriters' Network website.

She says: "I don’t think you need to work for free while you’re building up your portfolio. I didn’t. Of course you won’t be charging the amounts you will with five years’ experience under your belt, but I don’t see any reason to ever work for free. There are always paid opportunities for talented writers. You just need to find them, which is also good practice."

And here’s a tip of my own…

Never Give Up

When it feels like you’re getting nowhere, just keep going. Believe me when I say persistence (and hard work) is key.

Are you a copywriter? Have a tip or two to share? Ping me a message and I’d be happy to add it here. Let’s make this the biggest and best guide for anyone who wants to get into the wonderful world of copywriting.